Medical Image Computing

MIC aims to be a European top research group, reflected by an outstanding publication record and an extensive valorization with respect to international collaboration, acquired patents, spin-off creation and visibility in general.

• MIC conducts application-driven research on quantitative image computing, including image reconstruction, segmentation, registration and visualization. Challenging applications are solved and validated in a clinical environment in collaboration with clinicians and biologists. These applications also serve as a basis to reveal the limits and shortcomings of the state-of-the-art in medical image computing. Based on this input, the research group gains a clearer insight into the field and investigates novel problem-solving hypotheses.
• MIC is involved in several education and training programs related to medical image computing.
• MIC contributes to the development of the personal skill and competences of its researchers in view of a professional career with responsibility.
• MIC continuously offers a modern research infrastructure (acquisition, hardware/software) and supporting funding to its researchers to be able to perform research in optimal conditions.

The quality of life and the live expectancy have tremendously increased during the last decades. Biomedical imaging has certainly contributed to this progression. MIC participates in this process by continuously improving the usefulness of biomedical images for the benefit of the patient and society.

The role of imaging in healthcare is continuously increasing. Recent innovations in medical imaging technology have created a tsunami of imaging data, which is revolutionizing diagnosis, therapy planning and follow-up, as well as clinical, preclinical and biomedical research. Moreover, the rapid adoption of digital image archiving and communication makes that large image databases are readily available for multi-modal, multi-temporal, and multi-subject assessment. A consequence is that accurate and (semi-)automated quantitative image computing has become indispensable.

ESAT/PSI/MIC (MIC = Medical Image Computing) is since long active in the field of (bio)medical imaging research. One of its main strengths is its unique setting in the Medical Imaging Research Center (MIRC), an interdisciplinary research center with core location in the University Hospital Gasthuisberg. As such MIC can take advantage of its unique position, i.e. the availability of a large image data base to construct prior models and to validate new methods; and the close proximity of clinical and biological experts to jointly define projects, solve problems and validate new methods.

The availability of a high-level research team, a modern research infrastructure (acquisition systems, hardware/software) and the necessary funds are prerequisites to perform top research. Furthermore, emphasis on the development of skills and competences of personnel and students contributes to the quality of the group and the attractiveness on future researchers.